About COBC

What We Believe @ COBC

We recognize and believe in the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. We do not recognize creeds issued by man as authoritative and binding, but we do offer in humility and sincerity the following statement of doctrine:

1. The Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the divinely inspired Word of God and infallible in their original writings. They are perfect and complete, the only written revelation of God to man and authoritative in all matters. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Galatians 1:11-12; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Luke 24:44.

2. There is only one God who as creator of the universe manifest Himself in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:1-2,26; Deuteronomy 6:4; Ephesians 4:6.

God the Father, He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He reveals Himself as a merciful and loving Father seeking fellowship with mankind. John 5:19-26; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 21:3.

God the Son, He is revealed as Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; born of a virgin, He is both God and man sent “to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10 KJV) John 1:1-2, 14,18; 3:16; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18-21.

God the Holy Spirit, He is sent forth from the Father to indwell the saints, to be their counselor and comforter, to empower them for service, and to seal them to Himself. His work is to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. He bestows spiritual gifts upon the believers for the perfecting of the saints. John 16:5-16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:7-14.

3. Man was created in the image of God without sin. He voluntarily fell from his sinless state and sin has passed on to all mankind alienating all from God resulting in physical and spiritual death. Genesis 1:27; 2:7; 3:1-19; Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15.

4. Because mankind is hopelessly lost, we are in need of a Savior. Salvation has been provided through the substitutionary death of Jesus upon the cross. Through the shedding of His blood we have the forgiveness of sin. Salvation is a gift entirely by the grace of God. Through repentance and faith in His death and resurrection we have a living hope and “through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV) 1 John 1:7-9; 5:10-13; Hebrews 10:5-25; Revelation 1:5-6; 5:9-10.

5. Christ’s Church is composed of all born-again believers who are voluntarily united together for:

For a complete copy of our Constitution and Bylaws, please click here.

Country Oaks Baptist Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention.

COBC History

In January of 1988, twenty three families from 1st Baptist Church Tehachapi believed that God was calling them to establish a new church in Golden Hills. Pastor James Trammel resigned from 1st Baptist to lead the new church. The first services were held at the Golden Hills Golf Course on the 7th of February of 1988. The restaurant was barely capable of handling 103 men, women, and children in the first service; the children thought it was cool to sit at the restaurant bar while the pastor preached.

By May of 1988, the church had completed its Constitution and Bylaws and was accepted as a Southern Baptist Church in Kern County’s association of Southern Baptist Churches. The church continued to grow and services moved from the golf course to Mountain Bible Church, holding services late Sunday afternoons. Then it was on to the blue dance studio on Highway 202 for almost a year.

In 1990, the church leased facilities in the mini-mall on Brian Way. It was on Brian Way that our Sunday School program began, along with Caraway Street (led by Dennis and Peggy Vamosy). In the summer of 1990, Andy Walker accepted the call to serve as pastor at COBC. In 1991, the church undertook a “Together We Build” program with the support and help of the North American Mission Board. The church congregation pledged $334,000 dollars for which the North American Mission Board loaned us 85% to start construction on the Schout Road facilities.

The church remained on Brian Way for a few years while construction continued. It was amazing to see the men of COBC swinging hammers every weekend, and the women and children cleaning up the construction site. During the week, there were usually 10-15 men working on the construction site and on weekends that number would swell to fifty men led by Dave Austin and Bud Dees.

In the fall of 1992 the church relocated to Schout Road, its present location. At this point, the church had grown to about 150 regular attendees, it wasn’t long before there were discussions about going to two services, and within three years we were holding two services in a sanctuary built to hold 287 people. A decision to build a second sanctuary that would seat about 700 was made and the second sanctuary was built, believing that it would be a very long time before we had to consider going to two services again, we were at 41% occupancy for a single service at this time.

We began holding two services in the present sanctuary in 2004 and the church continues to grow. So, over the years we have labored as a church, we started with 103 men women and children to over 800 regular attendees. God has blessed us with a growing ministry and we continue to stand in awe of His plans.

In July of 2013 we held a 25th Anniversary Celebration which included a special Sunday service, a BBQ and a concert with Fernando Ortega.

On April 6, 2014, Andy Walker announced his desire to step down as Senior Pastor and assume a roll as Pastor Emeritus. On that date we began the process of appointing a Pulpit Committee. The Pulpit Committee performed their work and made their recommendation to the Elder Board. We concurred with their recommendation and announced that recommendation to COBC’s membership for consideration and voting.

On July 13, 2014 the COBC members who voted concurred with our recommendation by a vote of 93% approval. After consideration of all the inputs and discussions, effective July 23, 2014, the Elder Board appointed Pastor Whitney as our new Senior Pastor.

On August 17, 2014 Nathan Hiner (formerly the Director of Student Ministries) was voted in as the new Associate Pastor at Country Oaks Baptist Church.

On July 12, 2015 a Retirement Party was held for Dr. Andy Walker at the Oak Tree Country Club in Bear Valley Springs.